The European Tour of Longboarding returns to Newquay with Ben ‘Skindog’ Skinner at the helm

After last year’s historic debut in the UK (its first ever visit there), The European Tour of Longboarding (ETL) by the Surfing Association took place for the second year running at Watergate Bay, Newquay, Cornwall, from 8-9 October.

The two star event was headlined by O’Neill and organised by Relentless Energy Drink-sponsored surfer Ben ‘Skindog’ Skinner who had just returned from Ireland with the European title in his hands.

Skindog on form

Skinner has been the in-form surfer in European competitions this year, wrapping up the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) European longboard title in August, and claiming a win earlier this month at Vieux Boucau, southwest France, in the first of four ETL events.

The final saw a UK head-to-head between O’Neill team riders Skindog and current English champion Adam Griffiths, who was hoping to improve on his fourth place overall in the 2010 ETL campaign. The result followed a closely contested heat, which saw Adam land his first ever ETL title. “It’s been a great weekend although the conditions of the surf have been tough” says Skindog.. All the sponsors of the event have done an amazing job and we have once again put on a great showcase for British surfing.”

Surf and music raise funds for The Cornish Foundation

The Phoenix Pub played host to this year’s event and the line-up featured the best of Cornish music, with local talents Charlie Wingfield, Grey Dog and Ben Sutcliff showing the European visitors how effervescent and synergistic the music and surf scene is in the UK.

This year, the money raised at the contest’s party is being donated from Joe’s Appeal to the Matt Upsher foundation, which was set up after the well-known teacher and musician from Perranporth tragically died last year while surfing. Ben Skinner is one of the ambassadors for the Joe Way Appeal, which has raised £93,000 for 20 charities in the past three years since Joe passed away. “Matt taught me how to play the guitar and was a real soul surfer” he says. “He is deeply missed, so to be able to donate some money to his foundation is a real honour.”

A selection of prizes from O’Neill clothing and wetsuits, Skinner’s ales, 100% organics and Perranporth signs raised £1,145 in an auction and prize draw, and local artist Martin Hawkes donated a print on the day which was taken away by one of the French competitors. With a second year of the competition under the belt for the UK surf haven, it looks sure to be a regular part of the tour in years to come.

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Ben Skinner

Ben Skinner

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